London bars

London bar brand Tonight Josephine has launched a crowd funding campaign and is asking for support from fans and friends so it can survive the current crisis. A spokesperson for Tonight Josephine, which has venues in Waterloo and Shoreditch, said: “The global Covid-19 pandemic has created a very uncertain landscape for millions of British small …

Bar and restaurant group The Alchemist is preparing to open its first venue south of the River Thames at the new Embassy Gardens development in Nine Elms. Launching this spring, the 5,200 sq ft space will offer a 94-cover restaurant for all-day dining, 66-cover bar and 24-cover outdoor terrace. Key design features will include floor-to-ceiling …

Tavla, a new Turkish-inspired backgammon bar, has opened inside east London’s Hart Shoreditch Hotel. Meaning backgammon in Turkish, Tavla has “socialising at its core”, offering guests the chance to play the boardgame whilst enjoying cocktails, bar snacks and a soundtrack of vinyl DJs. Located on the ground floor of the 126-room hotel, which presents Hilton’s …

Zoe Fryday steps into the theatrics of The Alchemist’s new London flagship Guests of The Alchemist’s new London flagship in Canary Wharf can expect flames, plumes of fragrant smoke and glimpses of mad science. This won’t come as a surprise to those who know the brand, as it’s renowned for its unconventionality and theatrics. As …

Famous tiki bar Trader Vic’s, located in London Hilton on Park Lane, Mayfair, is introducing a new ‘Tiki-tea’ experience, offering a savoury French-Polynesian twist on a traditional British afternoon tea. The venue will be offering a selection of treats every evening from 5pm, featuring a towering table selection of “tiki-tastes from around the world”. Featured …

The K Bar at The Kensington hotel in west London has introduced its new ‘Terroir’ cocktail menu, inspired by famous European wine regions. Each cocktail on the 15-strong list has been designed to showcase the characteristics and flavours imparted by a selection of the world’s most celebrated terroirs. Wine regions explored include Bordeaux in France, …

London cocktail bar Aster has created a new menu that takes guests on a journey through the UK’s capital, championing the places and people that make it special. The 11-strong line-up of cocktails on the ‘Aster Adventure’ map-style menu, which emulates the underground station map, span Kings Cross to Whitechapel. Imbibers can start at Victoria …

The Lost Alhambra is bringing even more theatre and fun to London’s West End. Zoe Fryday reports The Adventure Bar Group is famous for its dazzling, concept-led venues, including Tonight Josephine, Bar Elba and Blame Gloria. The latest addition to the collection, The Lost Alhambra, is no exception. Situated in London’s buzzing Leicester Square, on …

For Burns Night, on 25 January, Bruichladdich Distillery from Islay will be raising a toast to its Scottish heritage and provenance with a series of celebrations across London. The distillery has collaborated with a number of venues, including Cub, Wilder, The Conduit and Galvin at Windows’ 10 Degrees Bar, adding modern twists on classic dishes and …

Portuguese wine bar and restaurant Bar Douro is opening its second London site, located in the Finsbury Avenue development at Broadgate. Helmed by restaurateur Max Graham, the new venue, like its sister flagship in London Bridge, will offer a contemporary take on traditional Portuguese cuisine and regional wines. Situated in a Grade II-listed building, Bar …